Lost to time

I walked with this Harmony girl for a while... It was a silent walk, but at least it wasn't a dark one. Despite the lack of a conversation, the rage that radiated off of her kept me company enough to know better than to bother her.

Eventually, we reached a large cottage. Honestly, it reminded me of my grandma's house back out in the country... I'll never see her place again, will I? Sweet nana Margaret... she made my baby blanket. I'm sure shes heartbroken she's outlived me... sometimes, it felt like she was the only family member I could relax around. That got me. I'll miss her so, so much... I can't dwell on that now, though.

"Now now Harmony, who's this?" A mature woman inquired about me. Her eyes seemed rather wise, as wise as the wrinkles made her.

"Prophesy girl. Her name's Claire." Harmony gestured at me, I gave a shy wave.

"Prophesy girl already, hmnph?... rather young. Though I suppose time flies when you choose to not obey it. Come in, Claire. Do you like root tea?" The older woman, Harmony's master, went inside the cottage, Harmony and I following shortly. Who exactly was this woman, other than her relation to Harmony? Are they even related?

"Yea I... I like tea. Thank you. I would love a cup" I replied politely.

Inside was a shock, it was... well, more high tech than the rest of the places of where I've been around here. She had a clock, one I could see ticking away. It didn't have numbers, though, just a hand that seemed to slowly move, unperceivable unless you check later in the day. As though it followed the sun. On her counter were far more trinkets, and even glass vials. It looked like a chemistry set. How did such an elderly woman keep up with such things that I'd struggle with grasping even in class? Or maybe they were Harmony's things... but Harmony didn't strike me as the patient type. 

"It's impolite to gawk." The old lady commented, taking a seat while the tea brewed. I soon followed, taking a seat as well.

"Sorry... are... these your things?" I couldn't help but feel embarrassed for being called out about staring. 

She nodded politely. "You're not from here, are you?"

I felt my body tense. What did she mean by that? Did she know that I'm not the girl who's body I'm in?...

"You're taking it pretty well, being here. When my consciousness was transported into this body, I was terrified. Though I guess things are different now than what they were back then... I'm sure you didn't see a Griffin maul anyone?" She asked, amused. It was almost like she was fond of those memories...

"No, no... I was talking to friends when I-... u-uhm... what are you talking about exactly? With that consciousness thing?..." I wanted to know as much as I could. If I could ever get back... 

"You died. Didn't you? On Earth? I'm curious what your name is. Your real one. You can't fool me. You've already behaved differently from those who are native here. But go on and tell me your name. You'll forget it eventually, here. Lost to time as mine was, long ago. I don't remember the girl I was much." Her tone dropped the amusement so quickly it was almost jarring.

"Selena. Selena Burfret." I held out my hand, unsure how she'd take the gesture. But she took mine, her gross wrinkly hand shaking mine.

"You, are my successor. My replacement. Which means I don't have long left here." She smiled at me... almost like she was happy about leaving?

"What do you mean?"

"I'm going to die here, Selena. Just as I did on Earth. Then? Maybe I'll move on. To another life. Maybe I'll be anew again. Isn't that nice? To be somebody else entirely? It's a fresh start. You, will go back to town, and announce the Grand Entrantress, dead."

"Y-you're gonna die too? You're going to die again!? Just because I'm here!?" I asked, standing up. No way!!! How is she so calm about that fate!? 

"Now now, don't be immature about it... I've been here long. Long enough that the life I once had is irrelevant. It's unimportant. Unlike you, you, Selena, are important. The fact you are from Earth is all the magical difference this world needs." She held my arm firmly, trying to ground me with her touch and warm voice.

"Magic??? From Earth? Earth is the least magical place I can think of! Especially compared to here! What is it that I'd have that'd make me so special cause I'm from there!?" I asked, unsure of her words.

"Heart. The empathy, Selena... every human is capable of it. Even if they ignore that it's in their heart, it's there. Here? It's forgotten. Long forgotten, I'm the last of knowing when I introduced it to the people here... they all lived fast, died young. I believe this soul is what keeps this body going. Look at me, Selena... I'm centuries old here. But from Earth? I'd only be in my 20s, maybe.... time is different here. Thus my inventions. So many things are different, and I longed for the comforts of home."

"Empathy? Heart? Seriously??? Is that all the magic I have from Earth over these people?" I asked, hoping she's just joking... how am I supposed to defeat evil with empathy!? Drown it in my tears after crying for it!? 

She looked annoyed at my tone. "Empathy is more powerful than you'd know... you can turn a foe to a friend just with some kindness."

"And if it's some creature without a heart, uncaring for kindness!?" 

"Haha, only thing like that is the foolish Head Wizard... annoying man, that one is. Unkind, I hear. After all, so many people are dying as of recent and turning into demented forest residents. These forests are as dangerous as they were before I stepped in... and that's saying something." 

"The Head Wizard? He's who sent me out here-"

"Oh. See? He sent you on a death mission. He probably wasn't even entirely sure you were the prophesied one. Harmony has found other girls remains... clearly, they had been told something similar. That fool... We're glad you're ok, though."

Other girls remains? He's... he's sent other girl's out here to their doom? And he didn't stop? I could've been one of those girls.... I feel... sick.

The Grand Entrantress frowned. "You look ill, dear." She sighed and shook her head, the smile coming back on her face. "See? That heart of yours. Those poor other girls, huh? Didn't do anything wrong, just weren't lucky enough to be you."

I nodded slowly, finally taking my seat back down.

"Empathy... heart... that's all I have here that's special?..." I asked... my heart felt heavy, so heavy it was in my stomach.

She nodded in turn, "That's it. But don't worry, it's truly better than you think... I wish there were things I could teach you. To make this easier on you. But it's truly all up to you, Selena... is your heart strong enough to beat evil?"

I couldn't answer. I felt... scared. All these magical creatures, magical people around, and all I am, is a normal girl? I'm as useless as I was in my life on Earth...